RELIGION

Sharing kindness amid COVID-19

HAMDEN — During this time of global pandemic, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — a community of Catholic religious Sisters based in Hamden — are finding creative ways to serve the community outside of their day-to-day ministries.

At Sacred Heart Academy, Sisters have taken on a special project sewing surgical caps for nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Sisters of the Provincial community at Mount Sacred Heart have been praying each day for the town’s first responders and their families by name. This includes the town’s firefighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

Each week, they also prepare bagged peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Sunrise Café in New Haven, which provides free daily breakfast to the city's homeless and hungry.

“Our foundress, Mother Clelia, was deeply devoted to serving the poor and most vulnerable members of society,” said Sr. Estelle Barelli, who initiated the service project. “Participating in the wonderful work of Sunrise Café is one way of carrying on her legacy of love, and it is such an enriching experience.”

Members of the postulate community have willingly been living in isolation in order to minister to the 27 retired Apostles living at Sacred Heart Manor, which went into lockdown on March 10. Following a 14-day quarantine that began on March 17, Postulant Directress Sr. Angela Gertsema, Sr. Kelsey Shaver, Sr. Reina Praxedes, and postulants Clara Johnson, Patricia Young and Allison Zink—who are in the first phase of becoming religious Sisters—were cleared to begin work at the Manor.

Since then, they’ve been doing whatever they can to help: sewing masks for local healthcare workers, Manor staff and Sisters; serving meals at the Manor; spending quality time with the Sisters; and helping Sisters with various projects.

Although serving at Sacred Heart Manor has meant isolating themselves from other Sisters living at the Provincial house and not leaving the property, even for groceries, the group is embracing the experience.

“The Manor Sisters are teaching us how to let go, to adapt and the importance of a positive attitude,” said Sr. Angela. “These are lessons that are not often taught by words but by example."

Beth Israel Synagogue is online

WALLINGFORD — Beth Israel Synagogue, 22 N. Orchard St., Wallingford, is closed.

Torah teachings will be conducted online at www.bethisraelwallingford.org

The Rabbi will remain in contact on when and what time any events will take place online. The Board of Directors continues to meet monthly via tele/ video-conferencing.

Visit www.bethisraelwallingford.org for more information.

Temple Beth David offers online programs

CHESHIRE — Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire, is closed, but virtual events are being held on the online platform Zoom and on Facebook Live.

For a complete schedule, visit tbdcheshire.org or www.facebook.com/TBDCheshire/

To reach the temple, email office@tbdcheshire.org or call 203-2720037; Rabbi Micah is always available to talk at rabbiMicah@tbdcheshire.org.

Congregation B’Nai Jacob programs on Zoom

WOODBRIDGE — Congregation B’nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge, is continuing to hold services using Zoom.

May 27, 7:30 p.m. Judaic Art with Jeanette Kuvin Oren at her studio

May 28, 8 p.m., Shavuot Evening service followed by study session with Rabbi Shapiro and Singing and Learning with Cantor Kanfer.

May 29, 9:30 a.m. Morning service. May 30, 9:45 Service with Yizkor Weekday minyan services: 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Shabbat Shmooze: Fridays, 6:p.m. followed by service at 6:30 Shabbat morning service: 9:45 a.m. Havdalah service: 8:30 p.m. Bread and Torah, Sundays at 10 a.m. Pirkei Avot class, Monday, 7:30 p.m. If you don’t know how to Zoom, visit https://www.bnaijacob.org/ or call 203-389-2111.

Church holding can, bottle drive

ANSONIA — Christ Episcopal Church at 56 South Cliff Street, Ansonia (directly across from Ansonia Public Library), is collecting clean bottles and cans.

Grocery stores have closed their bottle redemption centers during the pandemic. Clean bottles and cans can be dropped off in THE collection bin next to the office entrance at any time.

First Church continues online worship

OLD SAYBROOK — First Church of Christ Saybrook has moved to online worship. “First Church understands that many in the community are isolated and are practicing social distancing,” members said in a statement. “Social distancing does not mean social isolation. First Church continues to reach and encourages everyone to practice social distancing. Please join them in worship at their on-line live worship service.”

The 9 a.m. Sunday Jazz service and the 10:30 service may be found live at www.facebook.com/firstchurchOS. On Tuesdays, join an online Tuesday morning coffee, conversation, and Corinthians.

To contact First Church of Christ Saybrook info@firstchurchsaybrook.org or www.firstchurchsaybrook.org

Church offers help, online services

OLD LYME — Members of Shoreline Church are offering to pick up and deliver groceries, prescriptions and other essential items to area residents who are at risk of contracting Corona virus, or who are afraid to go out in public to get the things they need.

Those who live in the following 15 communities who need help just need to e-mail or call the special number provided: Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Clinton, Chester, Deep River, Lyme, East Lyme, South Lyme, Essex, Westbrook, Niantic, Waterford, New London, Salem and Montville.

There is no charge for the services, other than reimbursement for goods picked up and delivered. Being unsure of the duration of this threat, services will remain available until life returns to normal. If anyone is interested in volunteering, call the church at 860-3049853.

If you are a shut-in, at higher risk for the coronavirus, or otherwise feel uncomfortable completing daily routines during the crisis, e-mail the Church at: SLCwillhelp@gmail.com or call 860304-9853 and leave a message.

The church will live-stream its Sunday morning services throughout the crisis at https://www.facebook.com/ShorelineChurchCt/ & at www.shore.sermon.tv

For more information on the church, visit SLC77.com

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

EAST HADDAM — Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is revising its calendar for the remainder of Lent and Holy Week. All in-person worship services have been moved to online platforms, and all other events at the church have been moved online or canceled.

St. Stephen’s will still hold online worship services on Sundays at 10 a.m. St. Stephen’s holds prayer services via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and noon. See www.StSteves.org for more details on how to participate.

No change: “The Path” online Bible study via Zoom, 8 p.m., Wednesdays

For more information about these and all St. Stephen’s events, visit www.StSteves.org.